Molokai Holokai ‘More Than a Race’

Kamakou and Ocean Mariano compete in the Keiki and Makua race. Photo by PF Bentley

By Dayanti Karunaratne

Hundreds came out for the annual Molokai Holokai last weekend, July 17 and 18, boarding all kinds of watercraft to test themselves and battle each other. From inter-island races attracting international competitors to the Keiki and Makua, which included a two-year-old participating for his second time, a total of six races took place over the two-event.

“It’s a lot of work, but when I see the kids smile, it just touches my heart and makes it all worth it,” said Clare Albino, who organizes the event with her husband, Gordon Albino. 

The couple work year-round on the event, which began in 2003 under the name A Celebration of Youth Opportunity. Since its inception, she said, it has been “more than just a race.”

“We are not just a paddling event,” Clare said. “We are taking care of the land and sea, and giving back to the community and using paddling as a tool to do that.”

Now a teacher at Molokai High School, Clare spent her teenage years sailing, representing her homeland of England at the highest levels. She competed in the international windsurfing circuit and traveled the world at a young age. But she said she could have used more guidance, and that is the motivation behind the Molokai Holokai. 

“I’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs,” Clare said. “I’m a big supporter of giving the youth the best.”

The shoreline clean-up is a regular part of the Holokai’s events, reminding participants to be stewards of the land and sea. Photo by PF Bentley

The weekend started out on Friday at the Kaunakakai wharf, with Sustainable Molokai leading about 50 people — mostly youth from the Summer PALS program and Bayer staff — in a shoreline cleanup. The pier was also the finish line for the Maui to Molokai race, so it was packed by mid-afternoon, with locals watching the action and picking up rubbish, as well as competitors from Maui and their support teams shuffling gear.

Most of those racers headed straight to the Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC), the event headquarters and finish line for many races. Event t-shirts and hearty meals were served up. 

The Maui to Molokai race attracts foil surfers from around the world because it’s part of the Koa Kai Triple Crown Foil Competition. On Sunday, many competed in the Molokai to Oahu race, which is not associated with the Holokai but is also part of the Koa Kai. 

Early on the morning of Saturday, July 18, about 100 runners and their cheering squads met at Kamalo for the road races. For the first time the Holokai included a 10-mile race in addition to the one-kilometer and five-kilometer races. A cool morning breeze kept the runners spirits up; many had to conserve energy, as they were competing in more than one event that day.

Freya Davis, aged 10, ran the 5K in about 45 minutes before setting out for the wharf to compete in the outrigger regatta. Davis is one of many who paddle regularly with outrigger clubs, so the Holokai’s schedule includes a break for those who want to participate in both.

After the quarter-mile race at the wharf, Davis set off for Molokai Shores for the Holokai’s Keiki and Makua race. Even though she fell off her sit-on-top kayak a few times, she said she would do it all again. 

Chaystin Joao, 18, also competed in multiple events. He has a long list of paddling accomplishments to his credit, including being in the first junior crew from Molokai to compete in the Molokai Hoe.

On Friday, Joao had some “ups and downs” during the Maui to Molokai race but vowed to try again next year. On Saturday morning, he also competed in the regatta with Kukui O Molokai, and then headed out to Kamalo to race in the one-man outrigger.

“The waves were connecting,” Joao said, describing exciting battles with his friends on the water as the wind brought them to the finish line. “It was one of the funnest runs yet.”

When asked what he would say to other youth thinking about taking on a new challenge, he said: “Always look forward, and don’t stop what you’re doing. Persevere with the things you love.” 

Saturday ended at the MCHC, with food and music by local musicians, as well as cultural workshops for lei-making, poi-pounding and traditional weaving. 

In between the handing out of awards and the drawing of prizes, organizers took a moment to honor longtime paddling enthusiast Penny Martin. 

ng events attracted people of all ages, while cultural workshops offered opportunities to make lei, poi and other Native Hawaiian crafts. Photo by PF Bentley

Gordon Albino presented Martin with a plaque to recognize “her spirit of competition, and her work with everything to do with oceans,” noting she has competed with, and coached, many in the audience and was among the first females to sail the Hokule’a 50 years ago..

As the event grows, Clare said they need to work with more partners. She said running races are fairly easy, but the water brings many logistical challenges. Plus, she said she wants to do more athletic camps, bring back a battle of the bands competition and see more activities held at Malama Park. 

Visit molokaiholokai.com for race results and more information.